[Help Thread] Am I Competition Ready?

[EmperorZant]

There's nothing truly embarrassing about going to a competition; when I went to my first one, I averaged 35 seconds and one of my solves had a pop (that solve was 50 seconds). Despite ranking about 100th out of 200 people in 3x3, I felt so slow and awkward doing my solves at that competition, and did feel pretty nervous and embarrassed myself when I got up to solve.

However, I do not regret going at all! It was super fun, I got to talk to and meet new people, learn a lot of cool stuff, and take a picture with Kevin Hays. That is what competitions are really about; the social aspect. You're there to solve puzzles, talk to people, make friends, and have fun! Competing is just part of the fun.

Also I think a good goal for going to competitions is to try to meet the cutoff and do a full average. But even if you can't do that, like I said, it's still just such a good opportunity to meet cool people that have the same hobby.

 

[Dash Lambda]

I attended my first competition recently, and it was honestly more like a convention than any sort of competition I've been to. You go to have fun, not much else.
As for embarrassing yourself, you won't. The environment just isn't competitive, nobody really cares how fast you are.

 

[shadowslice e]

Yes.

 

[Dom]

Yes. Here's a video of Feliks Zemdegs' father doing his first WCA solve

 

[pglewis]

If you can solve under the cutoff for the event and you want to go, you should go. I was the slowest at my first comp and I had a great time. I improved a lot at my second one, also had a great time. I'm looking forward to improving at my next one.

 

[DGCubes]

Yes, definitely go. I can't think of a single reason you (or any cuber) shouldn't. Like other people said, they're technically competitions, but they're FAR from competitive. Competitions are basically the best days of my life, and I'm sure a majority of cubers would agree.

 

[Dom]

If you can solve under the cutoff for the event and you want to go, you should go.

You should go even if you can't make cutoff. I competed in 4x4 this past Fall and I missed the cutoff by over 30 secs. That just means I could only do two solves. I'm about 30 seconds faster now, though. Lol.

@DGCubes yeah, I love competitions, too. I've only competed in one, but now I'm hooked on my first try! Even if you don't compete, just go and talk to cubers. Try some cubes. Bring cubes to TRADE! Talk to the parents! Yay!
(maybe that last part was just me and other older cubers. Lol.)

 

[Scruggsy13]

If you are interested in competing and have read the regulations, just go for it. As many have noted, they are called competitions but really they are more like gatherings. Sure, you try to beat others, but ultimately I go to compete against myself. I am far more content with setting new personal bests than podiuming (although it is nice when it happens). And when you do go, make sure to talk to people. I stayed really quiet during my first few competitions and only really talked with my friend who I had known for years outside of cubing, but when you get to talk with others and make new friends, it really makes the entire competition worthwhile.

 

[CornerCutter]

I've seen people at comps that are averaging 1:30-2:00min and they were having a great time!

Just before you go, make sure you read and know the regulations, that's important.

 

[QuinnD2006]

Hey there! I have been cubing for the past couple months and I am currently learning f2l and know beginners mehod. There is a comp coming up in my area and I average about 1:10 and my best being 56:53. All I know is 3x3 but I have a 2x2 and 4x4 coming soon.
Should I go to this competition or wait?


-Quinn

 

[cubeshepherd]

Hey there! I have been cubing for the past couple months and I am currently learning f2l and know beginners mehod. There is a comp coming up in my area and I average about 1:10 and my best being 56:53. All I know is 3x3 but I have a 2x2 and 4x4 coming soon.
Should I go to this competition or wait?


-Quinn

Go to the competition! You should go to the no matter what you average, and you are never to slow or to fast for any competition. I have been to 8 competitions I have have enjoyed everyone a lot, and I am sure that you will as well. Even if you only compete in one or two events, the experience is still a wonderful thing and the communety is really great, as well as making new friends. I hope that you decied to go, and if you do go I wish you the best at it.

And lastly, Welcome to the forums. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

 

[QuinnD2006]

Go to the competition! You should go to the no matter what you average, and you are never to slow or to fast for any competition. I have been to 8 competitions I have have enjoyed everyone a lot, and I am sure that you will as well. Even if you only compete in one or two events, the experience is still a wonderful thing and the communety is really great, as well as making new friends. I hope that you decied to go, and if you do go I wish you the best at it.

And lastly, Welcome to the forums. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

Thanks so much! I think i probably will because i will meet some people even if i don't make it to second round

 

[DGCubes]

Thanks so much! I think i probably will because i will meet some people even if i don't make it to second round

The first time I made it to the second round of 3x3 was more than 2 years after I started competing. You've got the right outlook; think of it as a way to have fun and become active in the community. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Tabe]

Hey there! I have been cubing for the past couple months and I am currently learning f2l and know beginners mehod. There is a comp coming up in my area and I average about 1:10 and my best being 56:53. All I know is 3x3 but I have a 2x2 and 4x4 coming soon.
Should I go to this competition or wait?


-Quinn

Go to the competition. If people waited until they could potentially win, hardly anyone would actually go.

In my case, my goal is "don't finish last" at every competition I go to. I go to have a good time, to trade/sell cubes and to meet other cubers.

I've been to comps where people ended up with DNF as their 3x3 average, where people missed the 10-minute time limit in 3x3, you name it. But they still had a good time. And that's all that matters.

 

[QuinnD2006]

The first time I made it to the second round of 3x3 was more than 2 years after I started competing. You've got the right outlook; think of it as a way to have fun and become active in the community. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

oh my gosh.. hi DG i love your channel!

 

[QuinnD2006]

I registered today! And question can people like family members spectate for free?

 

[DGCubes]

oh my gosh.. hi DG i love your channel!

Thanks so much!

I registered today! And question can people like family members spectate for free?

Generally yes, unless the venue charges money to enter (competitions at Liberty Science Center, for example, charge spectators to get in). Unless the competition website says something about spectators having to pay, it's generally fine for anyone to go watch.

 

[QuinnD2006]

Thanks so much!



Generally yes, unless the venue charges money to enter (competitions at Liberty Science Center, for example, charge spectators to get in). Unless the competition website says something about spectators having to pay, it's generally fine for anyone to go watch.

Thanks Daniel! I’m really excited for the competition I will be practicing a lot.

 

[B-Cuber]

Hello guys! I started cubing a few months ago and am using cfop. My PB is 55 seconds because I have not yet refined my cfop skills. Once I refine my cfop, would I be able to go to a competition? If I am ready, which ones would you recommend?

 

[cubeshepherd]

Hello guys! I started cubing a few months ago and am using cfop. My PB is 55 seconds because I have not yet refined my cfop skills. Once I refine my cfop, would I be able to go to a competition? If I am ready, which ones would you recommend?

You are always able to go to a competition no matter what your times are. Nobody will care how fast you are, but I am sure that they will enjoy meeting you and other new cubers, and I am sure that you will meet many great people as well at any competition that you attend.
Depending on where you live the WCA website has the list of all upcoming competition near you, and here is there website: https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions

You are able to go to and compete in any competition that you would like to, and the only one/s that you need an official time in to compete are major competitions such as US Nationals, Euro Championships, etc. Other then that I hope that you are able to go to a competition soon, they are a lot of fun and I am sure that you will enjoy it.

And lastly, Welcome to the forums. I am glad that you have joined, and I hope that you enjoy it.